PALMER - The director of the state Department of Public Health's air quality program gave Old Mill Pond Elementary School a passing grade, clearing the building for use by students and staff.

The director, Michael Feeney, went through the building on Wednesday with school and town health officials, as well as School Committee members, to check for mold.

The results of the inspection were discussed at Thursday's School Committee meeting, where the members voted unanimously to keep the start of school at Sept. 4 for all students except kindergarteners, who will begin school on Sept. 9. The kindergarten bus orientation and open house will be held on Sept. 6.

The last day of school now will be June 20. The graduation date is still June 1.

"Based on the report we received from Mr. Feeney, our recommendation is that we open school as we suggested," Superintendent Thomas A. Charko said.

School officials had talked about sending the elementary school's approximately 600 pupils to other town schools, but decided against that option after Old Mill Pond was cleared for occupancy by the state director.

School Committee Vice-Chairwoman Andrea K. Mastalerz, who went along on the Old Mill Pond inspection, said the state inspector "left no rug unturned."

"This gentlemen not only did the interior, he did the exterior. I was very impressed with the job that he did," Mastalerz said. "I would have no reservations sending my child to school in September."

"I would feel comfortable working in that environment," Mastalerz said.

School Committee Chairman Gary Blanchette said Feeney will be providing a written report about the school and has offered to present it an open session of a School Committee meeting. Blanchette said Feeney will return to the school next month to ensure there are no mold-related issues.

According to an email sent by Charko, Feeney tested the air temperature, humidity and building conditions that would indicate mold and found no issues.

"He felt the problem was a cleaning problem and the problem has been resolved at this time but urged Palmer to have the carpet removed in the future to eliminate any future issues. Carpet over a concrete slab is not the best in the long term," Charko wrote.

Charko added that Feeney said that cleaning out closets and removing plant growth that is close to the building would improve conditions.

"All of these can be done right away," Blanchette said.

Charko said he is relieved that the inspection showed no more mold problems, and said his long-term goal is to remove the carpet in the 23-year-old building so the problem does not happen again.

Facilities Director Stephen M. Muniec said the mold grew due to a "perfect storm" of conditions - dark rooms coupled with high humidity and heat that lasted for days. He said it was found around July 10. Muniec said the HVAC system was off because summer school had been moved to the middle school. Charko has said food left on the carpets helped create an environment for mold to grow.

Liz Lizotte, a parent of an eighth grader, said she attended the meeting because she wanted to know how all the schools would be affected by the mold discovery. Lizotte said she is glad the elementary pupils, especially the kindergarteners, do not have to switch schools.

Katie A. Przybycien, whose 5-year-old daughter is entering kindergarten, said the meeting satisfied her concerns. She said she is glad the bus orientation is still happening because her daughter was looking forward to it.

The meeting was packed with parents and school staff members.

Old Mill Pond second grade teacher Magdalen M. Bish said the outcome of the meeting was good for everyone.

"I'm ecstatic. We're all looking forward to getting back to school. Now we can get in and prepare our classrooms," Bish said.

Staff hadn't been able to get inside the building due to the ongoing air quality problems. One parent asked if middle and high school students could start school on the original Aug. 28 date, but was told that couldn't happen.

Because of the uncertainty surrounding Old Mill Pond, no teachers were able to prepare their classrooms, and need the extra week to get ready for the new school year, Blanchette said.